It's been a perfect start to the annual Terang Country Music Festival. Revellers have been basking in the sun or enjoying the shade of elm trees at the Terang Racecourse on Saturday, listening to an impressive list of country music performers. In its ninth year, the annual festival kicked off on Friday night with the crowd getting a taste of what to expect over the three-day weekend. Saturday has seen a number of pleasing performances, including Melbourne duo The Weeping Willows, who were joined on stage by alternative country music singer Matt Joe Gow. The event usually attracts between 800 to 1000 music lovers and includes food and drink stalls and vintage car displays. The festival was cancelled last year after fire threatened the south-west. Festival president Geoff Barby said he was very happy with this year's turn out. "Especially after having to call things to a halt last year," he said. "We are very happy with the crowd response and the weather is absolutely magic today." Mr Barby said the standard of music was good, with surprises "here and there". "We've had bands that people will rave about, and that's after hearing them. They're the bands we get back the following year," he said. On Saturday the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl were announced about 2pm. That was followed by a tribute to inaugural committee member, Julia McConnell, who had to step down from the committee this year due to ill health. Mr Barby said Ms McConnell had spent seven years on the committee, looking after the performers in the green room. He said she took it upon herself to make salmon sandwiches for them. "She treated them like family, nothing was too much for her and they loved her," he said. Ms McConnell said she was very proud and overwhelmed. "You put in what you can, while you can," she said. The music festival is made possible by a volunteer committee, Mr Barby said. "This is one of the committees that I'm really astonished about. They just all come together, all know their jobs and stuff just happens," he said. "It takes us about a week to get everything ready and this is one of the years where our previous president has said he's really happy with the way it looks. the way it's set up and the way it's going." The 2019 Terang Country Music Festival will finish with a great finale session on Sunday. This year's performers include Mick Coates and the All Night Longers, Trev and Mel, The Excellent Smithers, Darren Coggan and Chalkie White. Related: Country festival fights back a year after fire Related: Wild night cuts short fun at Terang Related: Terang Country Music Festival 2018 Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

Mr Barby said the standard of music was good, with surprises "here and there".

"We've had bands that people will rave about, and that's after hearing them. They're the bands we get back the following year," he said.

On Saturday the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl were announced about 2pm.

That was followed by a tribute to inaugural committee member, Julia McConnell, who had to step down from the committee this year due to ill health.

Mr Barby said Ms McConnell had spent seven years on the committee, looking after the performers in the green room.

He said she took it upon herself to make salmon sandwiches for them.

"She treated them like family, nothing was too much for her and they loved her," he said.

Ms McConnell said she was very proud and overwhelmed.

"You put in what you can, while you can," she said.

The music festival is made possible by a volunteer committee, Mr Barby said.

"This is one of the committees that I'm really astonished about. They just all come together, all know their jobs and stuff just happens," he said.

"It takes us about a week to get everything ready and this is one of the years where our previous president has said he's really happy with the way it looks. the way it's set up and the way it's going."

The 2019 Terang Country Music Festival will finish with a great finale session on Sunday.

This year's performers include Mick Coates and the All Night Longers, Trev and Mel, The Excellent Smithers, Darren Coggan and Chalkie White.